Advice Hub

​Pleached trees:  These are trees have a tall single stem topped with a expertly trained head supported by a bamboo frame. This provides a living screen, typically the tree is planted in front of a fence with the framework above. It can give the look of an elevated hedge above fence height. Deciduous and evergreen options are available. Hornbeam, Crabapple and Photinia are popular choices. They will need regular trimming and training to keep them in good shape, so good access is required and they are an expensive option due to the time spent training the trees so not for everyone.
Specimen Trees:  For those who need to add a tall screen to the garden without impacting on the boundaries, trees are a good option. I’m often asked for evergreen trees to screen neighbouring windows, but this poses a problem as many evergreen trees in the UK are either slow growing or will grow to be huge unmanageable specimens. I recommend well natured deciduous trees with a good branch structure such as Silver Birch instead.
Hedges:  Various plants can be used for hedging and often this is the most cost effective way of screening along a boundary. Shrubs such as Privet, Yew, Holly and Pyracantha will offer evergreen structure and privacy throughout the year. They will require trimming at least twice a year so they are not maintenance free.  I avoid the use of Leylandii where possible as these can grow out of proportion  and are unsightly when trimmed hard back.

In traditional English Country style gardens i try to avoid lining the boundaries with trees as this can draw the eye to the boundary and neighbours beyond however modern contemporary spaces can look fantastic with pleached trees lining the edge of the garden for a sleek contained look.

If you need advice and inspiration for your garden space  I offer a bespoke service from consultations through to full garden design packages. Take a look at my website for more details www.belgrierson.co.uk  Give me a ring on 07506 750250 or Message me.

Every year i take a modern day pilgrimage to a garden designed by renowned landscaping and planting designer Piet Oudolf. This year took me to Hauser and Wirth Somerset - a world class gallery and arts centre based at Durslade Farm in Bruton. The 'Oudolf Field' as it is known is a 1.5 acre garden to the rear of the gallery with traditional layout of curved sinuous borders but filled with swathes of perennials and grasses to give a loose meadow like informality to the space. 

A walled kitchen garden will without fail quicken my heart rate! It has always been the case, whether still being cultivated for produce or whether is has been reclaimed by nature, with brambles and bindweed tumbling over walls and glass houses. So when i heard that Hadspen House and Gardens in Somerset was undergoing extensive restoration i had to go an see for myself. Newly opened i was not sure what to expect just yet, but not only did my pulse race when i stepped through the threshing barn doors but i was astounded by what the new owners of the rebranded 'The Newt' have achieved.
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Soon summer will be here and we can wave good bye to the cold mornings we have suffered in the spring and say hello to long sunny days. 
As I spend more time out basking in the rays my mind turns to holidays in warmer more exotic climes.  It can be so tempting to return to our cooler gardens and long for the plants and colours we have seen abroad.  Despite our less clement weather it is possible to create a tropical look using hardy and half hardy plants with the odd flamboyant annual thrown in too.
Select from a range of lush foliage plants and tropical looking flowers and you can transform a space into a bright, fresh & invigorating space. So which plants to choose.....